I Has Silk Pyjamas On Under My Scratchy WWII Uniform

Dits and Pics

We’re collecting dits and photos from those that have served in the armed forces to create an online exhibition to share stories and memories.

Dits and Pics is funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund

Transcription

Rachel

“So your World War Two uniform, was it brand-new? It wasn’t used or something was it?”

Amanda

“You couldn’t tell… Because it was going to be about fifty years old wasn’t it.”

Rachel

“Was it mouldy?”

Amanda

“No because…All the uniforms were kept in underground tunnels because where I worked, I worked in underground tunnels.”

Rachel

“You worked in underground tunnels?”

Amanda

“I worked in underground tunnels in Naples in metal boxes that are suspended in round tunnels and in the case of an earthquake or a volcanic eruption, the tunnels would be sealed because of all the intelligence and everything but in one of the tunnels was a storeroom and it was for emergency kit for a volcanic eruption because the last volcanic eruption In Naples was the year that the Americans landed.”

Rachel

“Which would have been the 1940s of course?”

Amanda

“Yes and it was overdue.”

Rachel

“And was it a man’s uniform…It must have been?”

Amanda

“Yes. Yes. But I mean I got a proper, a jacket sent out and later on I got trousers but initially, I had a World War Two emergency outfit with the hairy, prickly shirt. I had, oh you’ll like this…I had silk pyjamas…”

Rachel

“From the Royal Navy?!”

Amanda

“Yes… No, these are my pyjamas! …because wherever you go, you can’t be provocative wearing pyjamas, do you see what I mean? No matter what happens, you are in pyjamas. So I wore my pyjamas underneath my uniform because it was so itchy and scratchy. The first night I got there, it was the old dodgy transit accommodation and of course, you’re there and you’ve got your silk pyjamas on. Never get caught out without silk pyjamas!”